The German-American World Historical Society is sponsoring a one-day trip for its members, Fritz Reuter Altenheim residents, and the general public on Wednesday, May 8 with a $60 fee per person. It will be on a first come basis, for a bus excursion to the Riverview Inn, Matamoras, Pa., located on the Delaware River, where the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania meet.

The hosts at the Inn will provide a hearty BBQ luncheon complete with wedding cake, ice cream, soda, coffee, tea, beer, wine, and entertainment, and “A Mock Hillbilly Wedding,” which has received rave reviews for several years as a comedy play “like no other.”

For further information and reservations, call (201) 864-3245, (201) 867-3585 at extension 249, or (917) 680-3942 to speak with John Lawrora, executive director of the organization.

Book Club meeting

The North Bergen Free Public Library’s Book Club will be discussing “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald on Wednesday, May 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. The Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of every month.

NBPD prostitution investigation leads to 12 arrests

As the result of a month-long investigation, the North Bergen Police Department recently made 12 prostitution related arrests at various locations throughout the township. Spurred by a concern for the violent crime that prostitution often leads to, the investigation involved police monitoring websites like Craigslist and others for signs of impending illegalities. In total, 11 women and one man were arrested and charged with prostitution and several other offenses.

“Our department prides itself on keeping up with technology and being on the cutting edge of public safety,” said Police Chief Robert Dowd. “These skills were enormously useful here as our officers were able to monitor various websites in real time to ascertain the locations and times of impending criminal behavior.”

The arrests occurred at hotels, a massage parlor, and private homes. Prostitution, while itself illegal, is particularly troublesome to law enforcement because it tends to be accompanied by more violent crimes like assault and robbery. The NBPD’s crackdown on prostitution was done in an attempt to dissuade future criminality and protect quality of life in the township.